1 dead, dozens hurt in La. plant explosion

This photo provided by Ryan Meador shows an explosion at The Williams Companies Inc. plant in the Ascension Parish town of Geismar La., Thursday, June 13, 2013. The fire broke out Thursday morning at the plant, which the company's website says puts out about 1.3 billion pounds of ethylene and 90 million pounds of polymer grade propylene a year. (AP Photo/Ryan Meador)

(Updated at 3:11 p.m.) GEISMAR, La. — State police say at least one person was killed and dozens were injured in an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana.

State police Capt. Doug Cain said a hazardous materials crew going through the plant in Geismar after the Thursday morning explosion found one person dead.

Thirty-seven people were taken to area hospitals by helicopter or ambulance, while another 24 had minor injuries

The cause of the blast, reported around 8:30 a.m., was not immediately known. The fire was out by late morning.

Advertisement

Eight of the injured were taken to Baton Rouge Medical Center, where one was listed in critical condition and two others were in serious condition.

Early tests did not indicate dangerous levels of any chemicals around the plant, about 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge.

EARLIER VERSION OF THIS STORY

(Updated at 12:52 p.m.) GEISMAR, La. (AP) — Officials say ambulances and helicopters have taken at least 30 people from a burning chemical plant after an explosion in Louisiana.

Residents of the community of Geismar (GYS’-mahr), about 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge, were told to remain indoors with doors and windows closed.

Department of Environmental Quality spokeswoman Jean Kelly says helicopters took three or four people Thursday from the plant owned by The Williams Companies Inc., and ground ambulances took 30. She did not have other details about injuries.

Kelly says tests have not found dangerous levels of chemicals in the air so far.

Louisiana State Police Capt. Doug Cain says the explosion occurred around 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the plant. It makes ethylene and propylene — highly flammable gases that are basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry.

EARLIER VERSION OF THIS STORY

GEISMAR, La. (AP) — Louisiana State Police say a reported explosion has started a fire at a chemical plant.

Capt. Doug Cain says the fire broke out Thursday morning at The Williams Companies Inc. plant in the town of Geismar (GYS’-mahr). The plant makes highly flammable gases that are basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry.

The town is about 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge. Residents in the surrounding area have been asked by state police to stay indoors and close all windows and doors.

Cain says he doesn’t know how many people were hurt, but sees ambulances taking a couple of people from the plant.

The company’s website says the plant puts out about 1.3 billion pounds of ethylene and 90 million pounds of polymer grade propylene a year.